Lord Triesman: The United Kingdom ratified the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict without reservations on 24 June 2003.
	The UK lodged an explanatory declaration on the deployment of under 18 year-olds, which is entirely consistent with our obligations under the optional protocol. The full text can be viewed at www.ohchr.org/english/countries/ratification/11–b.htm#reservations.